Engine Air Filter - what does this tell me?

[endzone_truck]

hello, hope you are doing well.

I recently changed my engine air filter and cabin filter. Can anyone give me some insight into my engine based on what the filters show?

The one beside the new filter is cabin filter

the single one is engine air filter

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[JScaro]

Change more often....

 

[endzone_truck]

Change more often....

Thanks. Yeah it was a used truck.

FULL SUPPORT.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Looks like you spend a lot of time, or the truck spent a lot of time on the highway.

 

[endzone_truck]

Looks like you spend a lot of time, or the truck spent a lot of time on the highway.

1,000%

90% of driving is highway.

Might I ask how you can tell?

 

[PowerBoostSoCal]

And in a clean area ... I do about 80 highway and 20 local ... but live in dry desert area, I have to change both filters twice as often and they are browner in nature (vs black). They probably power cleaned under the hood, but on my truck the white part of the windshield fluid container is covered with oily black/brown dirt ... but hey, it's a dry heat (most of the time).

 

[Gros Ventre]

That filter needed changing... no surprise there. What it tells you about your engine is the previous owners usage and maintenance. It also tells you what didn't happen to the truck. You cannot change what the other guy did. Given the dirt built up in it, consider changing all lubricants now and shorten the change interval for awhile.

 

[Calson]

Filters are supposed to look dirty as they are filtering out dirt which is their function. Air and fuel and oil filters are least effective when new and before any filter media loading has taken place. They are engineered to allow enough air, fuel, and lubricant to be filters for the rated period.

If one drives on dirt roads or country roads the air filter will have a shorter life. Not a big deal. I go by the odometer to decide when to replace my filters.

 

[aaexpert]

maybe get a K&N replacement filter so instead of replace, just clean it.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

1,000%

90% of driving is highway.

Might I ask how you can tell?

Not my 1st rodeo. Messing with engines for quite a while.

The discoloration is dark, rather black. That generally comes from asphalt, can also be the dust/dirt that is tire debris.

Stick with paper filters, they’re cheap, change

 

[endzone_truck]

Filters are supposed to look dirty as they are filtering out dirt which is their function. Air and fuel and oil filters are least effective when new and before any filter media loading has taken place. They are engineered to allow enough air, fuel, and lubricant to be filters for the rated period.

If one drives on dirt roads or country roads the air filter will have a shorter life. Not a big deal. I go by the odometer to decide when to replace my filters.

This was my thinking. It didn't seem too bad. Filters are meant to be used and there weren't any concerning colours

 

[endzone_truck]

Not my 1st rodeo. Messing with engines for quite a while.

The discoloration is dark, rather black. That generally comes from asphalt, can also be the dust/dirt that is tire debris.

Stick with paper filters, they’re cheap, change

This helps! Thanks!

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

This helps! Thanks!

Glad we could collectively help

 

[Eighthtry]

K&N???????

 

[Calson]

K&N may make sense for desert racers where changing the filter frequently is not an option but they are inferior to paper air filters .

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